| About Us |
| Mavi Kalem was founded in 2000 in the wake of the massive Turkish earthquake of 1999/2000 by a group of individuals who strongly believe that volunteer work can create positive social transformation.
The mission of Mavi Kalem is twofold. First, to assist and empower rural immigrants as they encounter both the challenges and opportunities presented by Istanbul's urban environment. Second, to train and support volunteer staff with the overall goal of encouraging social responsibility and volunteerism. Mavi Kalem strongly believes that every project has the potential to benefit both the target audience and the implementers. This is done through the free spread of information on culture, health, art, education, rural/ urban life, class, family and gender; that volunteerism brings about. Emphasis on women and children issues helps engender and maintain the awareness of a qualitative minority voice.
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| What is Mavi Kalem working on? |
| Mavi-Kalem is involved in many ongoing projects that range from single events to ongoing education. Since 2000 we have accomplished over 25 projects in Fener-Balat with substantive results. They have improved the day-to-day quality of life for many of the families in the neighborhood, and given their children a chance to succeed which they did not have before. Below are some selected projects that give a range of the type of work we do:
On Women and On Children. |
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| How can you support Mavi Kalem? |
You can participate as a volunteer.
You can support us with material donations such as books or school/art supplies.
If you want to support our projects financially;
 Mavi Kalem Sosyal Yardımlaşma ve Dayanışma Derneği
T.Is Bank Galatasaray Branch
BIC: ISBKTRIS
IBAN: TR150006400000210220416229
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| Where We Work |
| Since it's formation, Mavi Kalem has worked in the eathquake region of Duzce, later in Batman (south east Turkey), Tekirdag and Edirne ( the Marmara disrict). Mavi Kalem works primarily in the historic Fener and Balat neighborhoods, located near the hıstorıc center of Istanbul, which is today home to a multitude of immigrant families drawn to the area for its affodable and attractive housing. Life in the city can be a challange, however, especially for those who are undereducated and unused to urban living. Often jobs are not to be found, customs are different, and the social fabric so important to village life is lost in this city of 12 million. Today, Fener-Balat's picturesque streets are host to a community that strives to get ahead, yet suffers from unemployment and illiteracy. The children of these families, however, hold hope for the future.They believe they can change their world, grow up to become doctors and lawyers, and accomplish the things their parents sacrificed so much for them to achieve. Help Mavi Kalem help them. |
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